Recent West grad killed in logging accident

Published: Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 1:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 1:42 p.m.

Jordan Kitchen, a varsity golfer for the West Henderson boys golf team who graduated last month, was killed Saturday in a logging accident, according to several sources.

He was 18.

The No. 3 player for the Falcons, Kitchen was selected to the Times-News All-Area Boys Golf Team in June. He earned all-conference honors for the second straight season this year, and he had an 18-hole stroke average of 82 and nine-hole average of 39.

"His love for the game of golf was unmatched. There was not a day that went by that he wasn't out on the golf course either practicing or looking for a game," West boys golf coach Jay Young said. "I think Coach (Skip) Taylor from North (Henderson) summed it up perfectly for me this morning when he said 'Right now, Jordan is strolling up to the first tee in heaven, telling Jesus who is in his group and saying, 'Watch this for me because I sure can hit it a long way.'

"That was Jordan... never at a loss of words with anyone. He is in a better place now. Golf in heaven is free, and I hear they have some pretty good courses up there. I'm gonna miss him."

Kitchen was a medalist in one match this season and had a low round of 70, and he also qualified for regionals for the third straight season.

"He was such a good kid. He always had a smile on his face and would make you laugh with his sense of humor. He had a love for life that we all can learn from. All of us who knew him are better people because of him. My heart goes out to his family in this difficult situation," Young said.

Kitchen recently played in the Skyview Open and was paired with former Christ School standout Cory Sciupider, the son of Mary Sciupider, who is co-owner of the WNC Junior Golf Assocation and also assists on West varsity girls golf team.

"Jordan played great in the Skyview Open, and he had a 71 on the first round. He played so well. This is just so, so sad," Mary Sciupider said. "Jordan loved golf, and he tried to get better every day. He was the sweetest kid you'd ever meet, and he had the biggest heart."

Kitchen also used to work at Champion Hills Club with former head professional Jon Rector, who is now at Biltmore Forest Country Club. Rector said just prior to him leaving for Biltmore Forest, he gave Kitchen some golf lessons.

"When Jordan wasn't smiling he was talking and when he wasn't talking he was smiling. He was just a happy kid," Rector said. "It is always sad to see a young person lose their life too soon."

<p>Jordan Kitchen, a varsity golfer for the West Henderson boys golf team who graduated last month, was killed Saturday in a logging accident, according to several sources.</p><p>He was 18.</p><p>The No. 3 player for the Falcons, Kitchen was selected to the Times-News All-Area Boys Golf Team in June. He earned all-conference honors for the second straight season this year, and he had an 18-hole stroke average of 82 and nine-hole average of 39. </p><p>"His love for the game of golf was unmatched. There was not a day that went by that he wasn't out on the golf course either practicing or looking for a game," West boys golf coach Jay Young said. "I think Coach (Skip) Taylor from North (Henderson) summed it up perfectly for me this morning when he said 'Right now, Jordan is strolling up to the first tee in heaven, telling Jesus who is in his group and saying, 'Watch this for me because I sure can hit it a long way.'</p><p>"That was Jordan... never at a loss of words with anyone. He is in a better place now. Golf in heaven is free, and I hear they have some pretty good courses up there. I'm gonna miss him."</p><p>Kitchen was a medalist in one match this season and had a low round of 70, and he also qualified for regionals for the third straight season.</p><p>"He was such a good kid. He always had a smile on his face and would make you laugh with his sense of humor. He had a love for life that we all can learn from. All of us who knew him are better people because of him. My heart goes out to his family in this difficult situation," Young said.</p><p>Kitchen recently played in the Skyview Open and was paired with former Christ School standout Cory Sciupider, the son of Mary Sciupider, who is co-owner of the WNC Junior Golf Assocation and also assists on West varsity girls golf team.</p><p>"Jordan played great in the Skyview Open, and he had a 71 on the first round. He played so well. This is just so, so sad," Mary Sciupider said. "Jordan loved golf, and he tried to get better every day. He was the sweetest kid you'd ever meet, and he had the biggest heart."</p><p>Kitchen also used to work at Champion Hills Club with former head professional Jon Rector, who is now at Biltmore Forest Country Club. Rector said just prior to him leaving for Biltmore Forest, he gave Kitchen some golf lessons.</p><p>"When Jordan wasn't smiling he was talking and when he wasn't talking he was smiling. He was just a happy kid," Rector said. "It is always sad to see a young person lose their life too soon."</p><p><i>More updates on this story will be posted throughout the day</i></p>